(HOUSTON) - Gordon Thomas Diachenko has been convicted of willfully filing a false 2006 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return causing a loss of more than $170,000 in revenue, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today along with Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Rodney E. Clark.

Diachenko appeared before United States District Judge Melinda Harmon today and entered his guilty plea pursuant to a plea agreement with the United States. According to the plea agreement filed in the case, the Small Business Administration (SBA) hired Diachenko’s company to act as a receiver for several businesses. Diachenko deposited the fees the SBA sent his company into the company’s bank account and eventually spent the fees on his personal living expenses. Diachenko admitted in the plea agreement that he failed to report all of the income his company received from the SBA, amounting to more than $500,000. Diachenko admitted that the total tax loss for years 2002 through 2006 resulting from his actions is $170,514.02.

Judge Harmon set sentencing for March 11, 2011. Diachenko faces a maximum of three years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 for willfully filing a false tax return. In addition, pursuant to the plea agreement, Diachenko has agreed to pay the full amount of the tax loss to the IRS. Diachenko has been permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.

Special agents of the IRS-CI investigated the case leading to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles J. Escher is prosecuting the case.